Nissan’s S15 200SX coupe is a classic example of why hesitation is often not a good thing.
Sold in Australia between 2000 and 2003 before being struck from the Nissan model lineup because of emission compliance dictates, the fabulous 2+2 rear-drive turbocharged sports coupe was the real article.
Slick styling that separated it from its uninspired predecessor, a punchy, 147kW/265Nm 2.0-litre engine and a thoroughly sorted sports chassis elevated the S15 200SX well beyond what would normally have been expected at the price.
Initially tagged at around $42,000 for the base six-speed manual Spec S to around $47,000 for the four-speed auto version of the more tied-down Spec R, the 200SX recalled Porsche’s thoroughly enjoyable, and far more expensive, front-engine 968 model that was discontinued in the mid 1990s.
The only problems were that it wasn’t around for very long, and that it ended up being the 200SX swansong model. If, at the time, you saw the value in a new S15 200SX but waited just that little bit too long, no second chance was forthcoming.
The base Spec S model lacked the side skirts, rear spoiler and sunroof of the more dressed-up Spec R, but many thought the styling was best left alone and considered it the better-looking version. An even more dressed-up Spec R GT version was available in the 200SX’s final year.
The 200SX was a swift, rewarding car to drive with a dual personality that made it easy to live with in suburban traffic and a delight to drive on a fast, twisting road. Zero to 100km/h times below 6.5 seconds were recorded by press testers at the time, while the standing 400 metres was disposed of in around 14.6 seconds – Subaru Impreza WRX figures.
The 200SX had numerous names in various markets but it was known as the Silvia in Japan as a mark of respect for the gorgeous Nissan coupe from the mid 1960s bearing the same name. The only noticeable sign of the Silvia connection on the Australian 200SX was an imprint on the dashboard.
With its reasonable pricing and outstanding abilities, the 200SX attracted the attention of drivers hankering for a bit of speed and these days it is therefore difficult to find one without a big-bore exhaust, over-spec wheels and at least a computer chip.
But the car is enough of a classic to make an original, untouched version desirable property.
Which this 2001 auto version from Beerwah in Queensland appears to be. The one-owner 200SX has always been garaged and has accumulated 112,000km, backed up by service records.
The car has been driven by the owner’s wife but is making way for a Nissan X-Trail, which “better suits our purposes these days.”
The asking price is $19,500 and it will be sold with a roadworthy certificate.
Perhaps the only negative is the auto transmission that takes the edge off the car’s performance. Finding a similarly untouched manual is less easy, but possible with a bit of searching.
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